Luke Bryan, ‘Roller Coaster’ [Listen]

Luke Bryan’s ‘Roller Coaster’ recalls similar ‘The One That Got Away’ type songs using imagery that’s become familiar to country music fans. This surf side story of love’s missed opportunity is warm … and slightly heartbreaking.

It stops short of being the knife to the heart that tracks like ‘’Til Summer Comes Around’ by Keith Urban became over time. The verses are organized in a way to feature the love story. Bryan’s intent with ‘Roller Coaster’ seems to be to focus on the positive, and he accomplishes that.

“And we spent that week wide open / Upside down beside the ocean / I didn’t know where it was goin’ / Just tryin’ to keep my heart on the tracks,” the star sings to begin the chorus. The first verse paints a picture of his character and the leading lady. It’s filled with familiar images of spontaneous, red-hot romance.

“I should’ve known that kind of feelin’ / Would last longer than that week did / Blown away and barely breathin’ / Sunday came and it was over / Now she’s got me twisted / Like an old beach roller coaster.”

The second verse mostly keeps the good times alive, but the song turns at the bridge: “And with all the things we said / What I just can’t get past / Is the way we let it end / Now I’m wonderin’ where she is / Knowin’ I can’t get that goodbye back.”

Cole Swindell and Michael Carter penned this mid-tempo song, the fifth single from Bryan’s ‘Crash My Party’ album. The roller coaster metaphor is creative — it’s what separates this song from others that rely on an increasingly used country trope.

Once again it’s Bryan’s natural charisma that lifts a lyric that wouldn’t work for someone less lovable. Little details like Thomas Drive feel personal. He’s becoming one of country’s top storytellers.

Why Fans Will Love It: The chord progression serves notice that a heartbreak is coming, but Bryan’s boyish optimism keeps fans hoping until … until the song turns on a dime. Country fans love a great heartbreak song.

Key Lyrics: “I should’ve known that kind of feelin’ / Would last longer than that week did / Blown away and barely breathin’ / Sunday came and it was over / Now she’s got me twisted / Like an old beach roller coaster”

Did You Know?: Since 2009, only one Luke Bryan song hasn’t topped the charts. Any guesses? Some would argue it’s his biggest song ever (we did), but ‘Country Girl’ only peaked inside the Top 5.

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